Kenyan runners swept 5 of the six podium spots on the Fiftieth version of Sierre Zinal on Saturday, with American runner Sophia Laukli dashing to the third–fastest-ever end on the ladies’s facet in 2:53:17, (solely course document holder, Swiss runner Maude Mathys has ever gone sooner, in 2019 and 2022). On the lads’s facet, Philemon Kiriago of Kenya celebrated his twenty first birthday by successful in 2:27:27, bettering on his fifth-place end in 2022 and dashing to the second fastest-ever males’s time.
Sophia is the primary American feminine to win since Stevie Kremer in 2014, and data the third quickest time ever on the course (solely behind Maude Mathys’ successful instances in 2019 and 2022)! Unbelievable!!!#gtws #goldentrailworldseries #sierrezinal https://t.co/zZ6ceoT8fi
— Liam (@aidstationfireb) August 12, 2023
Sierre Zinal is likely one of the most well-known mountain races on this planet and this 12 months’s Fiftieth-anniversary version attracted a deep discipline, whereas course document holders Kilian Jornet and Mathys have been notably absent. The race traverses 31 kilometres with 2,200 metres of ascent.
Athletes begin in Sierre at an elevation of 570 metres, and over the primary 24 kilometres climb as much as the best level at 2,425m. The ultimate 7 km is downhill, culminating in a frantic dash by way of Zinal to the end line at 1,680 metres.
Ladies’s race
23-year-old Laukli completed greater than 4 minutes forward of Joyce Njeru of Kenya, who ran to 2:57:19, with Njeru’s compatriot Philaries Kisang rounding out the rostrum in 3:01.06.6.
With sturdy contenders like Kisang, Nienke Brinkman of the Netherlands and Swiss runner Judith Wyder in rivalry, the ladies’s race was initially up for grabs, and Kisang set out main strongly, adopted by Monica Florea of Romania, and Kenya’s Joyce Muthoni. By the midpoint, Laukli had claimed the highest place, with Muthoni following her and Kisang pushing onerous in third.
Fan favourites Brinkman and American Allie McLaughlin took sixth and eight positions, respectively. Pre-race, Laukli shared with press that she had no thought how the race would prove. “I’ve actually by no means carried out a race like this,” she stated. “It’s a full thriller, and that’s enjoyable.”
Prime ladies
Sophia Laukli (USA) – 2.53.17
Joyce Muthoni (KEN) – 2.57.19
Philaries Kisang (KEN) – 3.01.06
Miao Yao (CHI) – 3.04.05
Alice Gaggi (ITA) – 3.05.38
Males’s race
Kenyan compatriots Patrick Kipngeno and Kiriago took the lead from the beginning of the race, adopted by a chase pack that included American Eli Hemming, France’s Thibaut Baronian, and Swiss runner Remi Bonnet. Kenya’s Kevin Kibet started to maneuver up by way of the pack, and an hour into the race had firmly claimed third place.
Cabeza de carrera masculina @SierreZinal km 4 pic.twitter.com/AqxQsZ9DFQ
— Biel Ràfols (@biel_rafols) August 12, 2023
With 8 kilometres to go, Kiriago made a decisive transfer into the lead, ending sturdy in 2:27:27 (solely Spain’s Jornet has ever run sooner, setting the course document of two:25:35 in 2019). Kipnengo held on to second place and closed in 2:28:50, and Kibet had a dash to the end to carry off France’s Sylvain Cachard, ending in 2:34:16 and a pair of:34:22 respectively.
Prime Males
Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (KEN) – 2:27:27
Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) – 2:28.:0
Kevin Kibet (KEN) – 2:34:16
Sylvain Cachard (FRA) – 2:34:22
Roberto Delorenzi (SUI) – 2.35.17
Squamish’s Kalie McCrystal was the highest Canadian, putting 71st.
For full outcomes from the 2023 version of Sierre Zinal, head right here.
